Adverbs of frequency

What you'll learn

Use always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever and never to say how often something happens.

Start with these examples

• I usually walk to work.
• She is always friendly.
• We sometimes eat out.
• He never drives.

A simple frequency scale

always → usually → often → sometimes → hardly ever → never

These words are not exact numbers. They show a general idea of frequency.

Where does the adverb go?

Before a main verb

subject + adverb + main verb

• I always drink coffee.
• They often play football.
• She never watches TV.

After the verb be

subject + be + adverb

• He is usually late.
• We are often tired after work.
• The shop is never open on Sundays.

Questions

Frequency adverbs usually come after the subject in a question.

• Do you usually cook at home?
• Is she always busy?

Common mistakes

• I go always by bus. → I always go by bus.
• She always is late. → She is always late.
• They never are at home. → They are never at home.
• He goes often there. → He often goes there.

Quick check

• I / drink / usually / tea. → I usually drink tea.
• She / is / always / kind. → She is always kind.
• We / never / are / late. → We are never late.

Next step

Use can and can't to talk about abilities.